Reports: Network Establishes Training Camp in Rashaya, Allegedly Smuggling Arms to Syria

The Lebanese army discovered a training camp set up by a network in the mountain area between al-Bireh and al-Rafid towns in Rashaya, which is suspected of smuggling arms to neighboring Syria.

According to a report published in As Safir newspaper, the army raided the hideout after receiving information over the use of machineguns and automatic rifles in the area.

Investigations revealed that the area was used by a network as a training camp to carry out raids and kidnappings by men that have “high military experience in the field.”

Sources told the daily that the equipment confiscated by the army in the hideout provided the military with enough information to find out the identities of the group's members.

According to a communique issued by the army on Wednesday, the raid was carried out on Tuesday night and the army seized light military rifles, hand grenades, ammunition, various military equipment and communication devices.

It pointed out that three suspects were detained over the matter identified by their initials as A. A. and his two sons B. and A.

As Safir said that the remaining members of the network fled the area on motorcycles during the raid.

However, al-Liwaa newspaper reported that security agencies have been pursuing a Range Rover and a GMC car, that are used by the network, that have tinted windows and no license plates and that disappeared in al-Bireh on September 21.

The two cars were discovered after they caused a car accident in the area.

According to the report, the two cars are loaded with arms.

A security source told al-Liwaa that the 6-member network is allegedly linked to arms trafficking and smuggling weapons and gunmen into Syria.